We are excited to share our new look, resources, and tools with you and your community. The goal is to give you the latest research, the most recent facts and even reveal the truth behind some well-worn myths, so that our youth can learn the true benefits of abstinence, and be proud of their choices.

Abstinence-Until-Marriage is a primary prevention message. Abstinence is not a form of birth control, but rather a powerful and healthy lifestyle choice that develops character and self regulation that transcends sexual activity. Abstinence education always includes medically referenced information about the risks of teen sexual activity, ways to avoid sexual intercourse and the circumstances that make one more vulnerable to the pressures to become sexually active.

We want all youth in Georgia to make healthy choices. The evidence of the indicators that measure societal health demonstrate that when sexual activity takes place in the context of marriage the outcomes are overwhelmingly beneficial for parents and children. Some of these positive outcomes include vastly lower poverty rates, greater academic success and lower rates of crime, incarceration, child abuse, and domestic violence. The institution of marriage is a protective factor.

As parents, teachers and youth leaders, we can’t let tough conversations stop us. After all, we insist our kids don’t drink and drive; we are firm about the risks of drug use; we have rules about wearing seat belts and meeting curfews. Shouldn’t we hold these same expectations about the healthy choice of abstaining from sexual activity? When you look at all the positive aspects of abstinence – kids who abstain are more likely to finish high school, lead successful lives, have higher incomes, have more stable and enduring marriages as adults, and are less likely to be depressed or suicidal¹ – then why wouldn’t we want to teach our children to abstain from early sexual activity? In fact, 84 percent of parents do support teaching teens to abstain from sex until they are married or close to marriage.² And more than 90 percent of teens agree that they should be taught to abstain at least until they have finished high school. ³

With the information and tools provided on this site, I hope that you are better prepared to educate youth about the benefits of abstaining from sexual activity, implement new classroom activities, and share video pieces of youth boldly telling their stories. The staff at Governor’s Office for Children and Families is dedicated to providing programs and resources to communities to educate and support Georgia’s youth to cultivate the skills to enter into positive, healthy relationships of all kinds and feel empowered to exit those that do not richly impact their future.

Sincerely,

Jennifer E. Bennecke
Executive Director
Governor’s Office for Children and Families

 

¹ Teenage Sexual Abstinence and Academic Achievement, Presented at The Ninth Annual Abstinence Clearinghouse Conference, August, 2005.
² What Do Parents Want Taught In Sex Education Programs? The Heritage Foundation Backgrounder, January, 2004.
³ Americans Sound Off About Teen Pregnancy, National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, December, 2003.